PhD in Finance

Abstract

The finance faculty at RSM is a vibrant and diverse group consisting of leading international researchers. Our faculty undertakes world-class research that is regularly published in leading academic journals.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates that have an interest in undertaking challenging and rigorous research. Besides a background in finance, we also welcome applicants with an education in Economics or Econometrics.

Candidates should indicate in their cover letter which field best matches their interest:

• Asset Pricing
• Corporate Finance
• Banking and Financial Intermediation

If applicants have already an idea for a research project, they can briefly describe it in their application.

Keywords

Finance, Asset Pricing, Corporate Finance, Banking and Financial Intermediation

Topic

Students choose topics of their own interest, in consultation with their advisors. Our faculty has particular strengths in the following areas:

• Asset pricing: asset management, financial markets
• Corporate finance: private equity, corporate governance, M&As, sustainable finance
• Banking and financial intermediation: financial regulation, FinTech

The research should aim to contribute to and advance our knowledge in the field of finance, and be undertaken using appropriate methodology. Typically, students work on their first project together with their advisor(s), and gradually become more independent over time. At least one of the papers should be a single authored paper. Students are also encouraged to undertake research with other faculty members, as well as fellow students. Most of our students target the academic market after their PhD, and seek employment as a (tenure-track) assistant professor.

Required profile

Candidates should have a strong interest in finance, but not necessarily an MSc or MPhil degree in finance since the PhD program involves a thorough curriculum of finance courses. Candidates ideally also have a strong background in micro-economics, econometrics, quantitative economics and/or computational economics.

Required by ERIM

All application documents required by ERIM can be found here.

Cooperation

PhD researchers will typically visit a leading international university (3 to 6 months) to get new stimulus for their research projects, and to deepen their international network.

Literature references & data sources

RSM Finance is part of the Erasmus Finance Group, which also includes finance faculty of the Erasmus School of Economics. RSM Finance has access to excellent research facilities, including most major databases (WRDS, CRSP, Compustat, Datastream, Dealscan, Bloomberg, I/B/E/S, Thomson One Banker, TAQ, CRSP Mutual Funds, SDC, ExecuComp, OptionMetrics, etc.).

RSM Finance is supported by the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM) through extensive research support to our faculty for organizing and attending conferences, journal submissions, outbound and inbound research visits, databases, etc. Erasmus Finance runs an active weekly seminar series with speakers from top international schools, separate brown bag and PhD seminars, several annual conferences, and a visitor program with eminent finance scholars. For more information see http://www.rsm.nl/finance

Employment conditions

ERIM offers fully-funded and salaried PhD positions, which means that accepted PhD candidates become employees (promovendi) of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO).

Erasmus University Rotterdam aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfil their full potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our successes, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EUR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Contact information

For questions regarding the PhD application and selection procedure, please check the Admissions or send us an e-mail via phdadmissions@erim.eur.nl.